Category A: A Cappella Sacred Music

A1 – Seniors Choirs (2/3 of the participants must be older than 50 years)
A2 – Adult choirs (2/3 of the participants must be older than 25 years))
A3-  Academic choirs (2/3 of the participants must be 25 or younger)
A4 – Children and Youth choirs (ages 19 and below)

Free to choose a stylistically diverse repertoire.

Category B: Secular and Folk Music

A1 – Seniors Choirs (2/3 of the participants must be older than 50 years)
A2 – Adult choirs (2/3 of the participants must be older than 25 years))
A3-  Academic choirs (2/3 of the participants must be 25 or younger)
A4 – Children and Youth choirs (ages 19 and below)

At least one piece from the choir’s country of origin.
One piece can be performed with musical accompaniment but musical instruments must be provided by the choir.

Category C: Spiritual, Gospel and Jazz 

Choirs are expected to sing without microphones or sound amplification systems.
The pieces can be performed with musical accompaniment but musical instruments must be provided by the choir.

In Category A,B and C time of the performance should not be shorter than 12 min and longer than 15 min of pure singing time (it is the duration of the performed pieces excluding applause and going onto or leaving the stage).

GRAND PRIX

All category winners with at least a Golden Diploma will have the opportunity to take part in the Grand Prix Competition. The program for each competing choir will consist of two freely selected pieces, which were not performed in any other competition categories.

1. Entries with the registration fee can be submitted by December 31, 2016.

2. The following materials should be submitted for each choir:
a) completed electronic application form
b) competition programme (name of the composition, composer full name, length of the compositions), (sent by e-mail in *.doc) – DOWNLOAD
c) Sound recording of the choir not older than 3 years (CD, mp3, link)
d) five sets of scores of the pieces to be presented at the competition
(the scores will not be returned, sent by the post)
e) a brief history of the choir (ca.10 lines, sent by e-mail)
f) a recent photo of the choir (resolution 300 dpi , photos, sent by e-mail)
g) a copy of money order or bank transfer confirming payment for the festival fee

3. After receiving the application form, each accepted participating group will be contacted by email and receive an official confirmation of participation.

1. Only amateur choirs are eligible to take part in the Festival.
2. The program should consist of advent and sacral music/ also christmas carols and songs / either a cappella or with instrumental accompaniment. All kinds of accompaniment allowed.
3. Musical instruments must be provided by the choir.

4. Each choir can participate in more than one category.
5. The list of musical pieces to be performed for competition which a choir submits to the organizers should not be changed.
6. Time of the performance should not be shorter than 12 min and longer than 15 min of pure singing time (it is the duration of the performed pieces excluding applause and going onto or leaving the stage). Should a choir’s performance exceed the prescribed time limit, the jury will interrupt the performance of that choir during the competition.
7. The jury should be informed in writing before the choir performance about any changes in the key of presented pieces.
8. Competition presentations will be judged by a jury, consisted of distinguished specialists in choral music.
9. The jury shall award the following certificated based on the total number of prints awarded each choir:
   Diplomas
   – Diploma of Participation Less than 59,9 Points
   – Bronze Diploma 60-74,9 Points
   – Silver Diploma 75-89,9 Points
   – Gold Diploma 90-100 Points

Category A
I prize – 3 000 PLN
II prize – Financial or material prize
III prize – Financial or material prize

Category B
I prize – 3 000 PLN
II prize – Financial or material prize

III prize – Financial or material prize

Category C

I prize – 3 000 PLN

GRAND PRIX

The GRAND PRIX the Statuette of Sopot Seagull and a special financial award.
Jury reserves the right NOT to select a winner in a particular category, if the jury assesses that the finalists in the category in question do NOT live up to the standards high enough.
Jury decisions are beyond dispute.
Organizators may add special prizes.
10. Jury decisions are beyond dispute.

11. Choirs will be judged according the following criteria:
intonation, fidelity to the score, sound quality, programme choice, overall artistic impression.

12. Jury reserves the right NOT to select a winner in a particular category, if the jury assesses that the finalists in the category in question do NOT live up to the standards high enough.

13. Organizers may add special prizes.
14. Choir can take part in the festival again under take the condition that submitted competition repertoire will not consist of pieces performed during previous editions.
15. Choir can resign from festival competition and take part only in the accompanying concerts

16. The Festival Organizers reserve the right to use any audio-visual recordings made during the Festival.

17. The organizers may plan additional meetings and performances for participating choirs. Please see the Festival guidebook for more information.

18. All choirs taking part in the Festival are requested be prepared to perform suitable pieces at the following events and email their repertoire:

1) Opening Ceremony – 2 pieces
2) Additional Festival Concert – 15 – 20 minutes
3) Final Concert (decision made by the jury)

1.The Festival (competition part) will take place between 16 and 21 May 2017 in Sopot, Gdansk, Gdynia.

2. The choirs should pay the registration fee of 150 EUR (non-refundable).

3. Accepted choirs should pay the entry fee for participating in one category (6 EUR for each member, including the director and any pianists or musicians) by February 15, 2015. The entry fee for participating in additional categories is 3 EUR per category for each member of the choir, including the director and any pianists or musicians. There is no fee for accompanying drivers.

4. For the participation in the festival without participating in the competition 150 EUR.

5. Should a choir withdraw from participation in the Festival, the entry fee will not be returned.

1. Each choir including the conductor, accompanying people and bus drivers shall pay their travel expenses, expenses on accommodation and food by itself.
2. Festival packages for accommodations are available in the following classes (per one day):
Choirs must decide how many days want to spend in Gdansk.
• Class I – Double, Triple, Four and Multiple-person rooms in hostels, holiday centers or hotels 18 – 35 EUR, (additional fee for a single room),
• Class II – Double, Triple and Four-person rooms in holiday centers, sanatoria or hotels 35 – 50 EUR, (additional fee of 20 EUR for a single room),
• Class III – Double and Triple rooms in two-star hotels 50 – 60 EUR, (additional fee of 30 EUR for a single room)
• Class IV – Double rooms in three-star hotels over 61 EUR, (additional fee for a single room).
3. Festival package includes:accommodation, breakfast and dinner during the time of the Festival
• guidance during whole stay
• participation in all events related to the Festival
• guide services for Festival events.
4. To guarantee the rates listed above, reservations must be made through the Festival Organizers for registered Festival participants only.

December 31, 2016

deadline for sending entry forms with the registration fee

February 20, 2017

deadline for first payment for room and board – 50%

April 10, 2017

deadline for final payment for room and board